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Thursday, March 29, 2012

'Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”' -Luke 5:5
The faith of Peter is astounding sometimes. He does seem to get a bad rap... but every now and then... he does stuff like this.

This is EARLY in Jesus' ministry.

Way early.

But Peter has faith.

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We worry and stress over a lot don't we?

I'm sure Peter was worried over paying his bills, getting food on the table, being able to live... He was ready to give up for the day though. He was tired, just cleaned the nets and was ready to give up.

Jesus climbs aboard and says, Just throw your nets out one more time.

'Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”' -Luke 5:5

"The destiny of your life is above your pay grade, your ability to evaluate your effectiveness in ministry, is above your pay grade, your ability to make decisions, is above your pay grade. Just do what he says." -Mark Moore

Just Do What He Says

Why do you complain, Jacob?
Why do you say, Israel,
“My way is hidden from the LORD;
my cause is disregarded by my God”?

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. -Isaiah 40:27-31

Just Do What He Says

Yet I am always with you;
you hold me by my right hand.

You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will take me into glory.
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever. -Psalm 73:23-26

Just Do What He Says

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever. -Psalm 23

Peter stood in the boat, knowing that HE was the fisherman, the experienced, knowledgeable one. Jesus was just a carpenter.
But he said, "But because you say so, I will let down the nets."

The response?

Too much fish to even hold. Too much fish to even count. Too much fish to even bring to shore.

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. -Luke 5:6-11

They gave up. They cut the nets. Left the fish. Pulled their boats up and left... EVERYTHING.

But before this... Peter realizes he is in the presence of his... Lord. He said go away from him, he's not worthy.

We aren't worthy either.

But when we meet Jesus and have one of those moments... where we are unworthy. We realize it. We tell him to leave. He says, No. He will always say no.

When we see Jesus for who he really is, it's not this exhilarating 'Build-A-Bear' experience, it is terrifying, because we realize we have no control even over our own vocation. When we come to meet him, it's not Kum-Bah-Ya, it's probably, "Lord, you need to leave. I'm unworthy."
But he'll say, "No."

"No, I'm not leaving you. I'm not letting you go. You're mine."

“Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.”

From now on, we'll live life new. We'll live forgiven. We'll live free. We'll say, "Hey Problem, My God is bigger than you."

Thursday, March 15, 2012

I haven't posted in ages, and I am deeply sorry to my readers. Thank you for your kind words of encouragement and thank you for still checking in on here to see any updates. Busyness has overtaken me a little bit with a new semester of school, a few new jobs, and some big changes in my life. I will try to update as much as I can and as much as the Spirit speaks.

Today though has been rough, and it seems that when these "roller-coaster ride kind of days" hit me, words just appear in my mind and I jot them down or type them up. It's not my best, it was a quick throw together, but I feel it has a message that could speak to more than just me right now. I wrote a short poem tonight.

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“Whatever you’re doing inside of me…”
The chorus rings through my mind,
I don’t understand the chaos within.
Its days when the earth feels motionless
Or maybe I’m just blind.

I don’t understand and it’s not that you owe me
I just wish I could visualize what lies ahead
To see what I feel
To feel what I see.
Please. Anything.

But silence instead.
“But I’m giving into something heavenly.”
A reminder constantly my purpose is higher.
My calling so true.
How could I doubt Him? I grow weary and tire.
Because it’s the way things go.
We hold so strongly to the blessings He provides
I tend to forget the blessings themselves will fade so low.

You give and take away,

you train and mold.

You prepare us.

Anoint us.

Carve us.

You care.

As a Father has compassion on his children, so you have compassion on those who fear you.

Our lives are shaped and held by you.

All we need is you,
Your promise will stand true
The world fades but you stand.
For who do we have in Heaven but you, O Lord.

You call, your voice brings peace,
a command, an exhortation,
It’s not much, but it brings release.
You speak, you reach down and whisper